Howard B

I’ve had good success with Bullseye. Haven’t used BE86. I like 3.5gr in a 38 Spl case with Berry’s 158 RN. Federal small pistol primers because my 4” M66 has wimpy springs. For me, that bullet finds its way into the chambers quickest of those i have tried.

Wow. Or as we say in this part of the country - Boy Howdy. Y’all keep going. And it seemed like a simple question(s). Thanks for all the responses. So far my take away is longer bearing surface in my trusty G34 will have more theoretical effect than practical. At barely above minor PF, little to no difference.

I live NE of Atlanta. There are 5 clubs that have IDPA matches within 2.5 hours driving time from me. Rule wise they cover the spectrum from following some rules to all rules. I am an SOI past MD, and always try and suggest the sometimes clubs up their game. I have, in the past when confronted with gross rule ignoring, thrown my hat on the ground, stomped on it, then left during match to protest. But, guess what, the match continues. So now I try (but don’t always succeed) asking myself which is better - shooting or pushing the lawn mower. Since I only have one hobby, shootin usually wins out. If only we could eliminate local rule variations..... but, that’s right up there with the tooth fairy.

Not that there are any to be found at present, but has anyone had experience with Berry’s (or other brand) hollow base plated bullets? Is accuracy and velocity comparable to flat base? Do they expand to fit bore like black powder Minie bullets? Benefits/ liabilities for minor PF loads? A lot of questions, but an old dog trying to learn something new. Thanks Howard

While not as fancy as the plastic knobs, some epoxy glue and a small wing nut works well. You just have to find a way to set the powder measure so the slide bar is up while the glue hardens overnight. Howard

I, for one, am really glad they have decided to make this change. But since you can't please everyone..... I wish they hadn't announced it yet. The whiners will say " well, since it is going to be legal, why can't we do it now?" And, there could still be a peculiar twist to the rule when implemented. Wouldn't be the first time.....

As did I as a young policeman. I built a briefcase size wood storage box with opening lid (long before the plastic commercial ones), had a plug in lamp,and a metal storage clip board velcroed to the top with blank forms and such. Very high tech for 1978. Made an ok armrest as well. But I think this qualifies as thread drift.

I just bought a electronic scale about two weeks ago, it seems to have some issues from the get go but they have told me to return it. I have also had case vibrators repaired without questions. All of my experiences with repairs have been exceptionally positive.

My wife went to Wally World today to look for a new cover for the grill. She saw a flex light being marketed as a grill light. Thinking it would help with my occasional cooking chores and also recalling my complaining about needing supplemental light for my 550 presses, she thought it may work. I dont know about the grilling part and won't till she goes back to get another one, but it is (only my opinion of course) the proverbial cat's meow for a press. It has a clamp or magnetic base that attaches with a solid thunk to a strong mount. The goose neck is about 12 inches long, it has three led bulbs and uses AAA batts. Not bright enough to be the only light, but it bends over to easily see into cases. I think it will even work for 38 Spl cases. I apologize for not being able to attach a photo, but that is way beyond my skill level. So, the particulars. Mainstays brand Flexible Grill Light (or lampara flexible para la parrilla - if you prefer). Costs 15 bucks in the section with grill stuff. Of course, I cant tell you which Wal Mart store till I go back to get two more............. Sadly, it is made in China but that is the way of things these days.

Thanks to all. I hadn't considered the PF issue. In my M66 Smith, it has been a struggle to make 125pf with a substantial roll crimp. I'll unpack the chrono and see what happen. I think I was considering the extended brass life more than velocity. Oh well, another tool for the "it seemed like a good idea at the time."

I agree with the seating and crimping as seperate operations group. I have just loaded my first batch of 38 spls with a taper crimp die and I think I like it better than the traditional roll crimp. Sunday will tell.......

Has anyone tried taper crimping 38 Spl? Not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, it came to me that as I am using plated bullets with no crimp groove, it might cause less damage/deformation to the bullet using a taper crimp as opposed to traditional roll crimp. While the plated cost more than cast, for me the fact that cleanup is easier more than off sets cost. Thanks in advance, Howard

Thanks to all who replied. I shall be content with the knowledge the brass was free.

I used a small piece of cardboard (about three inches long), bent it into a U shape and put it inside the primer catch cup. When the cup raises, the cardboard is around the primer catch thingy (see comments about pins and clips) and when it releases the primer it is surrounded by the cardboard and spent primer falls into the cup. However, in light of similar problems with pins, clips, and primer and tumbler debris, I use a inexpensive lee c-press to decap as a seperate step and all the nasty stuff is on the $20.00 press and not the Dillon.

Nice. Yes, replacing the cotter pint waith a safety pin eliminated "primers everywhere" for me. be I installed a custom tactical upgrade by throwing the cotter pin away and bending a paper clip to the proper dimensions. I made my super grade takedown tool for my 2011 using similar technology. .. U guys are a gas........Ill try a looser pin idea but honestly what sucks is all the dirt and carbon that builds up around the ram that caused all the fiddling I have to do to load

I have a quantity of once fired nickle plated Winchester 9mm cases and while pretty, they present a reloading quandry. I have a D550B. On the first reload, when the case comes out of the expand/powder charge die there is significant resistance as it pulls off the expander. This does not occur on my machine with brass cases or on subsequent reloads with the nickle cases. As an experiment, I have inside chamfered some cases and this offers an improvement, but does not totally eliminate the situation(not to mention extra time). Any thoughts or suggestions to improve this? The expander does not seem to have any rough spots that would cause this to occur. I realize I could donate all of them to a needy reloader and that would fix it but I was hoping to use them myownself. thanks, Howard

I scanned throught the various comments and did not notice a mention of one really inexpensive option. Glock factory rear sights (the fixed kind) come in different heights. They come one below standard and two above. For me, I use the +1, which I think is 6.5mm, but don't remember for sure. It worked well for me with the older rounded HiVis front fiber optic. Lone Wolf Distributors has them and they are inexpensive. Also, if you dont like the bold white outline on the factory signt they can be: a: covered with black marker b: installed backwards with the plain side to the rear of the slide (the sides are cut parallel). The downside to that front sight is for longer shots or smaller target areas it is not as precise. I like a Heinie rear with a Warren .115 f/o front (just to be different). Just my thoughts which may or may not be of any value......

That is a relatively common experience. I was trying to come up with a load to make PF in 38 Spl for a local IDPA wheelgun match. My Smith M66, 4", was about 75 fps slower than my friends. Same cases, primers, etc. His was quite a bit older than mine and the only thing we could attribute the difference to was barrel gap.

Has anyone tried (hopefully with some success) enlarging the notch on the Dawson Precision plain target rear sight? The situation I am faced with is on my G34, the .125 front is too wide and the .105 is too narrow. It would seem that I need/prefer what would equate to a .115 front. I want to stick with the fiber optic front to accomodate my ageing eyes. I have carefully opened the sight notch on fixed rear sights with some success, but they are cheaper to replace if I screw up. Thanks in advance for any guidance. Howard

I occasionally SO at matches in Greenville SC. A couple of years back, we had a shooter who would shoot from his scooter chair (yes, as seen on tv). He had his holster and mag bag attached to the steering post. Concealment was never an issue. Basically we made whatever accomodations we could to allow him to safely participate within the travel constraints of his scooter. If there was an actuater he couldn't manage, the SO or scorekeeper would trip it when the shooter passed that point. I think for him, simply being able to participate was the most important consideration. As far as the wheel chair goes, why not let the individual mount his holster and mag pouches wherever necessary to safely participate. I anticipate there are those who will chime in saying the rules are inscribed on a tablet and any alteration/deviation will likely hasten the arrival of the four horsemen. But, even being a lifelong government employee who enforces rules daily, I am willing to say there have to be realistic exceptions. In NRA Highpower, (before current rule change) if a person was physically not capable of standing before the sitting/prone rapid fire stages, they were allowed to remain in place after sighters. Perhaps the talented and innovative types in the club where the wheelchair bound fellow shoots could make some sort of adapter for him that would allow mounting points for a holster and mag pouch. Just one opinion of many.

Too cool. As a relative newcomer (4 yrs), I can better understand some of the exchanges regarding old v. new rules. Thanks a bunch. Howard

Thanks to all for the input. I'll stick with the small bar for now. Howard

Greetings all. As you can see from the number of posts, I am new to the forum. Likely this has been covered before, but I am new to the forum and not having success looking at old threads. I just loaded my first 38 Spl cartridges on my 550. Is there any advantage to the extra small powder bar when using charge weights in the 3-6 grain range? What about the Arrendondo powder bar? Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences. Howard